Mobile terminal having foldable display and operation method for the same

ABSTRACT

A mobile terminal having a foldable display and an operation method for the same are disclosed. The foldable display unit includes a plurality of display zones, wherein the application of program depends on the degree of folding angle of the display unit, and the display unit displays on its screen according to the folding angle. Further, variations of closing and opening motion of the foldable display unit triggers different modes of operation and displays

CLAIMS OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to an application entitled “MOBILE TERMINAL HAVING FOLDABLE DISPLAY AND OPERATION METHOD FOR THE SAME” filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jan. 9, 2009 and assigned Serial No. 10-2009-0001771, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a mobile terminal having a foldable display and, more particularly, to a mobile terminal having a foldable display that can provide a variety of functions in a user friendly and convenient manner, and an operation method for the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, mobile terminals have been widely used and provide various functions related to, for example, audio file playback through an MP3 player, image capture through a digital camera module, and mobile gaming or arcade gaming.

A mobile terminal is equipped with a display unit, which has a limited size owing to portability of the mobile terminal. To overcome the size and space limitations while supporting portability, mobile terminals having a foldable display unit have been developed.

A mobile terminal having a foldable display unit has a mechanical structure of a folder type. Such a mobile terminal may have to perform a special operation for removing image discontinuity and blurring near the foldable zone at the middle of the display unit to produce continuous images even when the display unit is folded at a particular angle. However, it is very difficult to install a separate keypad in an existing mobile terminal having such a foldable display unit. That is, allocating separate installation space to the keypad may hinder portability and miniaturization of the mobile terminal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the present invention provides a mobile terminal having a foldable display unit and an operation method for the same that can perform a variety of functions in a user friendly and convenient manner in response to input signals generated according to the folding angle.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a mobile terminal having a foldable display, includes: a display unit having multiple linked display zones; an angle sensor sensing the folding angle between adjacent display zones and generating a folding event according to the folding angle; and a control unit activating an application program or controlling execution of an activated application program according to a folding event from the angle sensor.

In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an operation method for a mobile terminal having a foldable display unit having multiple linked display zones, includes: generating a folding event by sensing the folding angle between adjacent display zones; and performing application control by activating an application program or controlling execution of an activated application program according to a generated folding event.

The inventive operation method enables the user of a mobile terminal having a foldable display unit to execute a desired function by folding the mobile terminal at a specific angle. In addition, when the display unit includes a touch screen, the user can manipulate the mobile terminal in much easier and intuitive manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a mobile terminal having a foldable display unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the mobile terminal in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detailed diagram of a control unit in the mobile terminal;

FIG. 4 illustrates operation of the mobile terminal according to folding angles;

FIG. 5 shows an example of executing an application program on the mobile terminal;

FIG. 6 shows another example of executing an application program on the mobile terminal;

FIG. 7 shows yet another example of executing an application program on the mobile terminal; and

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an operation method for the mobile terminal according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference symbols are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. For the purposes of clarity and simplicity, detailed descriptions of well-known functions and structures incorporated herein may be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present invention. Particular terms may be defined to describe the invention in the best manner. Accordingly, the meaning of specific terms or words used in the specification and the claims should not be limited to the literal or commonly employed sense, but should be construed in accordance with the spirit of the invention. The description of the various embodiments is to be construed as exemplary and illustrative purposes only and does not describe every possible instance of the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a mobile terminal 100 having a foldable display unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the description, it is assumed that the display unit includes multiple display zones, adjacent display zones can be folded at a specific angle or unfolded, and each display zone is made of a touch screen. However, the input means generating input signals or events for the multiple display zones is not limited only to the touch screen. That is, to generate input signals, a separate keypad may be provided to the mobile terminal or a removable keyboard or keypad may be utilized.

Referring to FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 100 may include a foldable display unit 101, a frame 190 enclosing the display unit 101, a hinge unit 170 enabling the display unit 101 to be folded and unfolded, and a touch sensor (not shown) attached on the display unit 101.

As explained hereinafter, the mobile terminal 100 having the above configuration may perform a preset function according to the folding angle of the display unit 101, and may provide a convenient user interface that enables systematic interworking of application programs running on two display zones.

The display unit 101 is foldable, and outputs a screen related to a function of the mobile terminal 100. For example, the display unit 101 may output a boot screen, an idle screen, a menu screen, or a program activation screen. The display unit 101 may be realized using flexible liquid crystal display (FLCD) technology, and may include an LCD controller, a memory storing data, and LCD elements. In particular, the display unit 101 may be partially or completely folded relative to the hinge unit 170. That is, two adjacent display zones of the display unit 101 may form an angle of zero to 360 degrees with each other. The display unit 101 may include a first touch screen 110 and a second touch screen 120. The first touch screen 110 and the second touch screen 120 are joined together at one side, and they appear as a single wide screen when completely unfolded at a folding angle of 180 degrees. Each of the first touch screen 110 and the second touch screen 120 may be composed of a display panel and a touch sensor arranged on the display panel.

The frame 190 encloses the foldable display unit 101, and supports folding of the display unit 101 utilizing the hinge unit 170. In addition to the display unit 101 and the hinge unit 170, the frame 190 provides a space in which a printed circuit board containing a control unit, storage unit, audio processing unit and interface unit can be mounted. The frame 190 may be made of a sash or plastic material. The frame 190 may include a coupling mechanism such as a hook that fixes the display unit 101 when the display unit 101 is completely folded at a folding angle of 0 or 360 degrees. When the first touch screen 110 and the second touch screen 120 each include an LC display panel, the frame 190 may further provide a space to accommodate a backlight unit for lighting the LC display panel and optical sheets for diffusing and concentrating light.

The hinge unit 170 placed on the frame 190 enables folding of the frame 190 and the foldable display unit 101. In fact, as the frame 190 accommodates the display unit 101, folding of the frame 190 results in folding of the display unit 101. That is, when the user folds the frame 190 with respect to the hinge unit 170, the display unit 101 is folded accordingly. The hinge unit 170 may support a rotation corresponding to the maximum folding angle of the display unit 101. Next, a detailed description is given of the mobile terminal 100.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the mobile terminal 10. In the description, it is assumed that the mobile terminal 100 has two display zones, each of which is composed of a touch screen. However, it should be noted that the teachings of the present invention may apply to a terminal having additional number of display zones.

Referring to FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 100 includes a first touch screen 110, a second touch screen 120, an audio processing unit 130, an interface unit 140, a storage unit 150, a hinge unit 170 accommodating an angle sensor 180, and a control unit 160.

The mobile terminal 100 having the above configuration may sense the folding angle of the display panel through the angle sensor 180 in the hinge unit 170, and selectively control the activation of application programs and the operation of an activated application program on the basis of the sensed folding angle.

The first touch screen 110 may include a display panel to produce images under the control of the control unit 160, and a touch sensor to generate input signals corresponding to touch events of the user. The first touch screen 110 is accommodated in the frame so as to be rotatable at a preset angle relative to the hinge unit. The first touch screen 110 may display various screens, such as an application related screen for activating one of application programs stored in the storage unit 150, a photograph related screen for browsing photographs, a message screen for composing a message or memo, and an icon screen for icons associated with various menu items. The first touch screen 110 detects a touch event occurring at a point in a displayed screen and sends the detected touch event to the control unit 160. The first touch screen 110 is adjacent to the second touch screen 120 and is joined thereto.

The second touch screen 120 may have the same structure as that of the first touch screen 110. Under the control of the user or the control unit 160, the second touch screen 120 may output the same screen as that of the first touch screen 110 or may output a screen different from that of the first touch screen 110. For example, while the first touch screen 110 displays a screen related to an activation of a first application program, the second touch screen 120 displays another screen related to an activation of a second application program. Alternatively, the first touch screen 110 and the second touch screen 120 may display different screens related to the same application program. For example, when the first touch screen 110 outputs video images related to playback of a video file, the second touch screen 120 may display a screen containing buttons for controlling playback of the video file. The second touch screen 120 is adjacent to the first touch screen 110 and is joined thereto. Utilization of the first touch screen 110 and the second touch screen 120 is further detailed later.

The audio processing unit 130 includes a speaker SPK to reproduce audio data received during a call, and a microphone MIC to collect an audio signal such as a voice signal of the user. In particular, the audio processing unit 130 may reproduce an audio signal of an application program executed according to the folding angle of the display unit 101. For example, when an audio file is mapped to a specific folding angle of the display unit 101, folding the display unit 101 at the folding angle may cause the audio file to be played back through the audio processing unit 130 under the control of the control unit 160.

The interface unit 140 provides a communication path leading to another mobile terminal or an external memory chip. The interface unit 140 may act as a radio frequency unit for wireless communication, and may act as an USB (universal serial bus) interface or UART (universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter) interface for serial communication. The interface unit 140 may establish a communication channel to one of an external mobile terminal, a memory chip, a mobile communication system and an Internet network, and may receive a content such as an image file or an audio file through the communication channel. The interface unit 140 may act as a broadcast receiving module, and send a broadcast signal received from a broadcast network to the control unit 160.

The storage unit 150 stores application programs related to functions of the present invention, an application program for operating the angle sensor, application programs for playing back various stored files, and key maps or menu maps for operating the first touch screen 110 and second touch screen 120. The key maps may include a keyboard map, a 3*4 key map, a qwerty key map, a control key map, and other form of map know to artisians for controlling a currently active application program. The menu maps may include a menu map for controlling a currently active application program, and a menu map containing various menu items of the mobile terminal. The key maps and menu maps may be output according to settings given by the designer or may be changed according to user settings. The storage unit 150 may provide a buffer temporarily storing sensing data collected by the angle sensor and touch screens. The storage unit 150 may include a program area and a data area.

The program area may store an operating system (OS) for booting and operating the mobile terminal 100, and various application programs, such as an application program for playing back various files, an application program for handling calls, a web browser for connecting to an Internet server, an application program for playing back MP3 audio materials, an application program for outputting photographs and images, and an application program for playing back moving images. In particular, the program area may store an application program for operating the angle sensor 180, and an application program for operating the touch sensor on the touch screen.

The data area may store data generated by the user of the mobile terminal 100, contents received through the interface unit 140, and user data input through the first touch screen 110 or the second touch screen 120. In particular, the data area may store a function table. The function table defines mappings between touch events from the touch sensor or folding angles from the angle sensor 180 and control commands. For example, the function table may include a mapping between a folding angle of 90 degrees and a control command “output the menu icon to at least one of the first touch screen and the second touch screen”. In this case, when the angle sensor 180 generates a sensing signal indicating a folding angle of 90 degrees, the menu icon is output to at least one of the first touch screen 110 and the second touch screen 120. The function table may include a mapping between a folding angle of 180 degrees and a control command “play back a video file pre-selected or selected through a touch event on at least one of the first touch screen and the second touch screen”. In this case, when the angle sensor 180 generates a sensing signal indicating a folding angle of 180 degrees, the selected video file is played back on at least one of the first touch screen 110 and the second touch screen 120. The function table may include a control command “output the key map or menu map according to a specific folding angle of the display unit 101”. As described above, the function table contains control commands for activating application programs or controlling operation of an activated application program according to detected touch events and folding angles sensed by the angle sensor 180. Application activations and controls based on the function table are further described later.

The angle sensor 180 is installed in the hinge unit 170, and measures the folding angle of the display unit 101 and sends the measured angle value to the control unit 160. The angle sensor 180 may be realized using a geomagnetic sensor, a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, or other sensors know by artisians that can measure an angle relative to the ground. The angle sensor 180 may also be realized using a mechanical structure. For example, a hinge-shaped member with regular grooves or prominences and depressions, or a gear-shaped member may be used to measure the folding angle of the display unit 101. When the angle sensor 180 is realized using a geomagnetic sensor or a gyro sensor, it can sense not only the folding angle of the display unit 101 but also the placement angle of the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the display unit 101 is folded at an angle of 90 degrees, the angle sensor 180 may generate a folding event indicating a 90-degree angle and send the folding event to the control unit 160. Thereafter, when the mobile terminal 100 is placed vertically upright so that a side of the first touch screen 110 and a side of the second touch screen 120 are placed on the same surface, the angle sensor 180 may generate an event indicating the placement angle and send the generated event to the control unit 160. To achieve this, the angle sensor 180 may include a first sensing element for sensing the folding angle of the display unit 101 and generating a corresponding event, and a second sensing element for sensing the placement angle of the mobile terminal 100 and generating a corresponding event. The angle sensor 180 may include a single sensing element capable of sensing both the folding angle of the display unit 101 and the placement angle of the mobile terminal 100, and generating corresponding events.

The control unit 160 controls supply of power to the individual components of the mobile terminal 100, and controls signal exchange between the components thereof to carry out necessary functions. In particular, the control unit 160 controls the operation of the mobile terminal 100 in various ways on the basis of the function table stored in the storage unit 150. To achieve this, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 160 includes a sensing detector 161 and a function controller 163.

The sensing detector 161 detects a touch event generated by a first touch sensor of the first touch screen 110, a touch event generated by a second touch sensor of the second touch screen 120, a folding event generated by the angle sensor 180 measuring the folding angle of the display unit 101, and a placement event generated by the angle sensor 180 measuring the placement angle of the mobile terminal 100, and sends the detected event to the function controller 163. The sensing detector 161 may control the time points at which the first touch sensor, the second touch sensor and the angle sensor 180 are activated. For example, the sensing detector 161 may activate the angle sensor 180 after turning on of the mobile terminal 100. The sensing detector 161 may activate the first touch sensor and the second touch sensor when the folding angle of the display unit 101 measured by the angle sensor 180 is greater than or equal to a preset angle. The sensing detector 161 may deactivate the angle sensor 180 in response to a particular touch event generated by the first touch sensor and the second touch sensor (i.e. by the user). The sensing detector 161 may output a key map or menu map to the display unit 101 under the control of the control unit 160 after an activation of the first touch sensor and the second touch sensor. Hence, the sensing detector 161 may identify a selected key or menu item by matching a touch event generated by one of the first touch sensor and the second touch sensor with the key map or menu map, and notify the function controller 163 of the selected key or menu item.

The function controller 163 may receive various events including a folding event, a placement event, a touch event generated by the first touch sensor and a touch event generated the second touch sensor from the sensing detector 161, and may control a currently active application program or activate a new application program according to the received events. Thereto, the function controller 163 may refer to the function table stored in the storage unit 150, and control the operation of a currently active application program or activation of a new application program on the basis of the current event and the function table. Application control of the function controller 163 is further described below with reference to the drawings.

As described above, the mobile terminal having a foldable display unit employs an angle sensor to measure the folding angle of the display unit, and controls the operation of an active application program or activates a new application program according to folding angles measured by the angle sensor. In addition, the mobile terminal may execute application programs in an independent or unified way on two display zones that are manipulated respectively by two touch sensors.

FIG. 4 illustrates the operation of a mobile terminal according to folding angles. As the following description, representative folding angles including 0, 90, 120 and 180 degrees are selected and utilized. However, the present invention is not limited to such angles, and other angles, not limited to, such as 30, 60, 150, 210, 240, 270, 300 and 330 degrees may also be utilized as folding angles. In the mobile terminal, the folding angle may be sensed at an increment of 5 or 10 degrees from zero degrees for application control.

Referring to FIG. 4, folding state A (folding angle of 120 degrees), folding state B (180 degrees), folding state C (0 degrees) and folding state D (90 degrees) are depicted. The mobile terminal is initially in folding state C where the first touch screen and the second touch screen face each other. In folding state C, the folding angle is zero degrees, and, if an application program is in execution, the mobile terminal may stop execution of the application program. For example, it is assumed that the mobile terminal is playing back a video file in folding state A or D. Thereafter, when the mobile terminal is transitioned to folding state C, it may pause the playback of the video file. To be more specific, when the mobile terminal is transitioned from folding state A or folding state D, the angle sensor may detect a change in the folding angle and send a zero-degree folding event to the control unit. The control unit may refer to the function table and perform the application control corresponding to a folding angle of zero degrees, i.e. folding state C. For a zero-degree folding event, the control unit may apply different control operations to application programs of different types. For example, in response to occurrence of a zero-degree folding event during playback of a video file, the mobile terminal may pause a playback of the video file. In response to occurrence of a zero-degree folding event during web browsing, the mobile terminal may terminate an execution of the web browser or pause execution thereof with browser window minimization according to the user's settings, and may control the audio processing unit to stop audio output. Thereafter, when the mobile terminal is transitioned from folding state C back to folding state A or D, it may resume a playback of the video file or restore the original browser window. In the case when no active application program was present at the previous folding state (for example, idle state), the mobile terminal may automatically play back a video or audio file pre-selected by the user. In response to occurrence of a 90 or 120-degree folding event when the display unit is turned off, the mobile terminal may turn on the display unit and activate a preset application program, for example, a web browser for accessing the Internet. Note that application control described above may be specified in the function table, and the contents of the function table may be changed by the user. For user convenience, the mobile terminal may display a textual description regarding mappings between folding events and control operations according to the folding angle.

Upon being transitioned from folding state A or D to folding state B, the mobile terminal may display video images in a wide screen mode. For example, it is assumed that the mobile terminal displays video images on the first touch screen and displays keys for controlling video playback on the second touch screen in folding state A or D. When transitioned to folding state B, the mobile terminal may display video images on both the first touch screen and the second touch screen as a single screen. At this time, the mobile terminal may adjust the video format from a 4:3 ratio for the first touch screen to a 16:9 ratio for the first and second touch screens. Thereafter, upon being transitioned from folding state B back to folding state A or D, the mobile terminal displays video images on the first touch screen and displays keys for controlling video playback on the second touch screen.

As another example, it is assumed that the mobile terminal in folding state A or D displays photographs on the first touch screen for browsing and displays a window for playing back a music file on the second touch screen. Upon being transitioned from folding state A or D to folding state B, the mobile terminal 100 may display photographs on both the first touch screen and second touch screen, and may continue playing back the music file through background processing. As described above, for a transition from folding state A or D to folding state B, the mobile terminal may give a priority to the first touch screen over the second touch screen, or the priority can be given to the second touch screen. That is, when being transitioned from folding state A or D to folding state B, the mobile terminal may display a window that was activated on the first touch screen in a full screen mode on both the first touch screen and second touch screen, may hide a window that was activated on the second touch screen, and may pause or end execution of an application activated on the second touch screen or process the same in the background. Alternatively, the mobile terminal may assign priority values to application programs. That is, when being transitioned from folding state A or D to folding state B, the mobile terminal may display a window related to a high-priority active application program in a full screen mode on both the first touch screen and second touch screen, and may pause or end execution of a low-priority active application program or process the same in the background.

For a transition from folding state B to folding state A or D, it is assumed that the mobile terminal displays a window related to an active application program such as a video player or web browser in a full screen mode on both the first touch screen and second touch screen in folding state B. When being transitioned to folding state A or D, the mobile terminal may display a resized window related to the active application program on the first touch screen, and may display a window containing a key map or menu map for video playback or web browsing on the second touch screen.

When being transitioned from folding state B directly to folding state C, the mobile terminal may pause or end execution of an active application program, or minimize the window related to the same. When being transitioned rapidly from folding state B via folding state C back to folding state B, the mobile terminal may perform a special operation such as decalcomania. For example, it is assumed that a particular image is displayed on the first touch screen in folding state B. Upon being transitioned from folding state B via folding state C back to folding state B, the mobile terminal may display the same image on both the first touch screen and the second touch screen (a decalcomania). For another example, it is assumed that the mobile terminal displays icons or contents on the first touch screen and the second touch screen in folding state B. Upon being transitioned from folding state B via folding state C back to folding state B, the mobile terminal may display randomly mixed icons or contents on the first touch screen and the second touch screen. Here, the mobile terminal may apply the decalcomania operation only to an image selected by a tap or to a section selected by a drag on the first touch screen.

When being transitioned from folding state C to folding state A or D, the mobile terminal may display the current time as a text string or as a round clock with hour, minute and second hands on the first touch screen, and may display a single photograph in a fixed form or many photographs in a slide form on the second touch screen. At this time, the mobile terminal may deactivate the touch sensors of the first touch screen and second touch screen.

When being transitioned from folding state A, B or D via folding state C back to the original folding state, the mobile terminal may perform a special function (such as content mixing) of an active application program. To be more specific, it is assumed that the mobile terminal activates a search function for photographs or moving images using icons or images on the first touch screen, and activates a search function for music files on the second touch screen in folding state A, B or D. Upon being transitioned from folding state A, B or D via folding state C back to the original folding state, the mobile terminal may create a new content by mixing a photograph or moving image on the first touch screen with a music file on the second touch screen. For example, it is assumed that ten photographs are listed in a multi-view format on the first touch screen, and three music files are listed as icons on the second touch screen in folding state A, B or D. Upon being transitioned from folding state A, B or D via folding state C back to the original folding state, the mobile terminal may combine the ten photographs into a slide format and edit the three music files into a background music file for the combined photographs. Thereafter, the mobile terminal may save the content composed of the photographs and music files.

When the mobile terminal is transitioned from folding state C via folding state D and folding state A to folding state B, it may activate an application program for each folding state transition. That is, upon being transitioned from folding state C to folding state D, the mobile terminal activates a first application program and outputs a to corresponding window on the first touch screen. Upon being transitioned from folding state D to folding state A, the mobile terminal activates a second application program and outputs a corresponding window on the second touch screen. Upon being transitioned from folding state A to folding state B, the mobile terminal activates a third application program and outputs a corresponding window on one of the first touch screen and the second touch screen. Here, the mobile terminal may continue the execution of a selected one of the first application program and the second application program without activating a third application program.

In particular, to suppress the generation of inadvertent folding events caused by transitions between folding states, only when a specific folding angle is sustained by the mobile terminal for longer than or equal to a preset time, the angle sensor may generate a corresponding folding event and send the folding event to the control unit.

The mobile terminal may perform further application control according to occurrence of a placement event. For example, when being transitioned to folding state A or D, the mobile terminal may refers to the function table, activate a preset application program, and display a corresponding window on one of the first touch screen and the second touch screen. When the user places the mobile terminal in folding state A or D vertically upright so that a side of the first touch screen and a side of the second touch screen are placed on the same surface, the angle sensor may generate a corresponding placement event and send the placement event to the control unit. Upon reception of the placement event, the control unit may refer to the function table and control execution of the activated application program on the touch screen. Here, the function table may contain triples of application program, placement event, and control command as entries.

When the mobile terminal is in folding state A or D, the control unit may control the first touch screen to display a window related to the activation of a scheduler and control the second touch screen to display a photograph, image or moving image. Thereafter, when the user changes the placement of the mobile terminal, the control unit may control the touch screens to fix screen images or to rotate screen images with reference to the function table. For example, when the scheduler window and the image window are in a landscape orientation, the control unit may control the touch screens to rotate the scheduler window and the image window in portrait orientation according to the occurrence of a placement event. After occurrence of the placement event, the control unit may deactivate the touch sensors of the touch screens. Thereby, the mobile terminal may act as an electronic frame for a calendar or photograph. In folding state A or D, the folding angle of the mobile terminal is less than 180 degrees. The above description is also applicable to a folding angle greater than 180 degrees. For example, when the folding angle of the mobile terminal is fixed at 270 or 300 degrees, the mobile terminal may act an electronic frame in a direction opposite to the case of folding state A or D. In particular, to suppress an excessive sensitivity to minor movement or shaking, it is preferable to generate a placement event for operation control only when a specific placement condition is sustained for longer than or equal to a threshold time. The mobile terminal may provide a menu enabling the user to set the threshold time for sensitivity adjustment. If the sensitivity level is high (i.e. the threshold time is short), the mobile terminal may regard shaking as a placement condition.

As described above, the mobile terminal of the present invention may receive a folding event as an input signal from the angle sensor, and perform application control in various ways conformable to the touch screens on the basis of the function table and received folding events.

FIG. 5 shows one example of executing an application program on the mobile terminal having a foldable display unit.

In FIG. 5, the mobile terminal displays a menu map on the first touch screen 110. The menu map on the first touch screen 110 includes a message menu 111, a video menu 113, and a file menu 115. The present invention is not limited to theses menus, and may further provide other menus or menu items. The mobile terminal lists various image files as icons on the second touch screen 120. The image files listed on the second touch screen 120 may be associated with the file menu 115 activated on the first touch screen 110. The control unit of the mobile terminal may control the execution of application programs separately on the first touch screen 110 and the second touch screen 120.

In operation, the user selects the video menu 113 on the first touch screen 110 by tapping (denoted by ‘A’) with a left hand finger, and selects an image icon 121 on the second touch screen 120 by tapping (denoted by ‘B’) and dragging (flick) toward the first touch screen 110 with a right hand finger.

Then, the mobile terminal may move the selected image icon 121 on the second touch screen 120 toward the selected video menu 113 on the first touch screen 110. As shown in FIG. 5, the image icon 121 is continuously displayed during the movement, and is removed from the second touch screen 120 after the movement.

To be more specific, when the folding angle of the mobile terminal is sustained at 180 degrees, the control unit may control the first touch screen 110 and the second touch screen 120 to display a menu map in full screen mode. Later, when the user selects and activates a file menu 115 of the menu map, the control unit may control only the first touch screen 110 to display a window for an application program related to the menu map and to resize the menu map on the first touch screen 110, and may control the second touch screen 120 to display image icons contained in the file menu 115. Here, the control unit may distinguish a sensing signal from the touch sensor of the first touch screen 110 from a sensing signal from the touch sensor of the second touch screen 120.

When a touch event occurs on the touch screen 110 or 120, the control unit may output an indication of event application. For example, when the video menu 113 is selected through tap ‘A’ on the first touch screen 110, the control unit may indicate the selection by changing the video menu 113 in color or shading so that the video menu 113 is easily distinguished from other items. When the image icon 121 is selected through tap ‘B’ on the second touch screen 120, the control unit may indicate the selection by changing the image icon 121 in color or shading.

When tap ‘B’ is extended to a flick, the control unit may move the selected image icon 121 according to the flick event (file moving). Hence, the control unit may apply touch events generated by the first touch screen 110 and the second touch screen 120 respectively to a menu handling program and a file search program.

As described above, the mobile terminal, having a foldable display unit with two adjacent touch screens, may cause two application programs separately running on the two touch screens to cooperate with each other according to generated touch events.

FIG. 6 shows another example of executing an application program on the mobile terminal having a foldable display unit.

In FIG. 6, the mobile terminal displays an idle window on the first touch screen 110 and displays a book 123 with multiple bookmarked pages on the second touch screen 120. When the user touches a bookmarked page A and a bookmarked page B, the control unit of the mobile terminal may recognize the touched bookmarked page A and bookmarked page B as being selected by matching touch points on the second touch screen 120 with the bookmarked pages.

Then, the control unit may control the first touch screen 110 to display the selected bookmarked pages, and control the second touch screen 120 to continue the display of the book 123. Here, the control unit may control the first touch screen 110 to separately display the bookmarked page A (denoted by 112) and the bookmarked page B (denoted by 114). In other words, upon selection of a bookmarked page A on the second touch screen 120, the control unit may display the bookmarked page A on the first touch screen 110. Upon selection of a bookmarked page B on the second touch screen 120, the control unit may display the bookmarked page B on the first touch screen 110. Here, the control unit may control the first touch screen 110 to display the bookmarked page A and bookmarked page B so that the bookmarked page A and bookmarked page B do not overlap with each other. Alternatively, the control unit may control the first touch screen 110 to display the bookmarked page A and bookmarked page B so that the bookmarked page A and bookmarked page B partially overlap with each other to make them further selectable.

In the above description, the second touch screen 120 displays a book 123 with multiple pages. This description may also be applied to a phone directory with multiple bookmarked phonebooks, where the phonebooks are associated with groups of members. That is, upon selection of a bookmarked phonebook of a phone directory displayed on the second touch screen 120, the control unit may control the first touch screen 110 to display the selected bookmarked phonebook. The displayed phonebook may contain a list of contacts such as a telephone number, photograph, address, birth date, anniversary, and so forth.

As described above, the mobile terminal having a foldable display unit may display a window for a particular application program on one of the touch screens, and display an auxiliary window for the application program on the other touch screen.

FIG. 7 shows yet another example of executing an application program on the mobile terminal having a foldable display unit.

In FIG. 7, the mobile terminal displays a plurality of images or icons associated with images on the first touch screen 110. This may be caused when the user selects a menu associated with an image browsing function. Alternatively, in the case where the image browsing function is set as a default function for a 180-degree folding event, the mobile terminal may display images or icons as shown in FIG. 7 when unfolded at 180 degrees. The image browsing function may also be set as a default function for a 120-degree folding event or a 90-degree folding event, and but this setting may be changed or adjusted by the user.

The mobile terminal displays an edit area 126 and an edit tool area 128 on the second touch screen 120 for editing one of the images listed on the first touch screen 110. An image editing function may be activated on the second touch screen 120 by selection of a menu. The image editing function may also be activated on the second touch screen 120 by a folding event generated according to the folding angle of the mobile terminal. For example, in response to occurrence of a 120-degree folding event or a 90-degree folding event, the image browsing function may be activated on the first touch screen 110. Later, in response to occurrence of a 180-degree folding event, the mobile terminal may activates the image editing function on the second touch screen 120 and display windows related to the image editing function. Here, the function table may contain an entry linking the image editing function to the image browsing function. That is, the function table may contain a control command that causes an activation of the image editing function in response to occurrence of a particular folding event after the image browsing function is activated. Hence, the mobile terminal may control execution of the image browsing function and image editing function in a coordinated manner.

Thereafter, the user may select an image or icon to be edited on the first touch screen 110, and move the selected image or icon to the edit area 126 of the second touch screen 120 through dragging. For easy editing, the control unit may fit the image or icon into the edit area 126 by resizing. In this case, the control unit may enlarge the image or icon for better view. In addition to dragging as described above, image movement may be performed through various schemes. For example, the control unit may move a particular image, which is indicated by a touch event such as a double tap, long tap and flick on the first touch screen 110, to a preset area of the second touch screen 120. After moving the image, the control unit may remove the image or icon from the first touch screen 110.

The user may edit the image in the edit area 126 of the second touch screen 120 using individual editing tools in the edit tool area 128 provided therein. In response to occurrence of a touch event such as a flick or double tap after the completion of editing the image, the mobile terminal may move the edited image to the first touch screen 110. The edited image may be resized for the first touch screen 110.

When the folding angle is 120 degrees or 90 degrees, the mobile terminal may activate the image editing function on the second touch screen 120 with reference to the function table. When the folding angle becomes 180 degrees, the control unit may deactivate the image editing function on the second touch screen 120 and display a window in full screen mode for the image browsing function on both the first touch screen 110 and the second touch screen 120. The control unit may resize the images or icons for smooth image browsing by the use of both the first touch screen 110 and the second touch screen 120 or only the first touch screen 110.

As described above, the mobile terminal may activate related application programs on the first touch screen and the second touch screen 120, and control execution of the application programs in a coordinated manner according to folding events and user requests with reference to the function table.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an operation method for the mobile terminal having a foldable display unit according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, upon power on, the components of the mobile terminal are initialized (201). After initialization, the mobile terminal activates preset application programs related to, for example, the idle screen, a menu window, and a sleep feature (203). The mobile terminal supplies power to the angle sensor and activates an application program for operating the angle sensor.

The control unit senses the folding angle of the mobile terminal (205). That is, the angle sensor measures the folding angle between the first touch screen 110 and the second touch screen 120, and sends the measured folding angle to the control unit.

When the measured folding angle is received from the angle sensor, the control unit reads the function table from the storage unit (207). The function table may contain control commands that specify application programs to be activated according to sensed folding angles and output screens (first touch screen or second touch screen) for activated application programs.

The control unit controls the activation of an application program according to the sensed folding angle on the basis of the function table (209). For example, as described before, the control unit may activate various application programs related to clock display, viewing of photographs, web browsing, display of a key map or menu map, playback of a video file, playback of an audio file, file classification, image browsing, image editing, phonebook browsing, and book reading.

The control unit checks whether an end-of-use signal is input (211). If an end-of-use signal is not input, the control unit returns to step 203 for continued processing.

As is apparent from the foregoing, the present invention has an advantage in that various angle of folding manner enable activation of various modes in the mobile terminal. In the description, it is depicted that the mobile terminal of the present invention includes two touch screens. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention is also applicable to a mobile terminal having a foldable display unit composed of three, four or more touch screens. In this case, the function table may contain control commands that specify application programs to be activated according to sensed folding angles and output screens for activated application programs, and the mobile terminal may activate application programs and control execution of activated application programs by use of the angle sensor and the function table. Further the shape of mobile display is represented in a rectangular form, but it should be noted that other shapes of display can be applied according to the teachings of the present invention.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it should be understood that many variations and modifications of the basic inventive concept herein described, which may appear to those skilled in the art, will still fall within the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A method for providing different operation modes of a mobile terminal having a foldable display unit, the foldable display unit having a plurality of display zones, comprising: detecting a folding angle between adjacent display zones; and activating an application program or controlling an execution of an activated application program according to the detected folding angle.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising sensing a touch event occurring on at least one of the plurality of display zones.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the activating comprises one of: (a) carrying out an application control on the basis of a function table specifying application control operations according to at least one of a touch event and the detected folding angle; (b) when the folding angle between a first display zone and a second display zone is greater than a first predetermined angle and less than a second predetermined angle, activating a first preset application program and outputting a window related to the first application program on the first display zone; (c) when the folding angle between the first display zone and the second display zone is greater than the first predetermined angle and less than the second predetermined angle, activating a first preset application program and outputting a window related to the first application program on the first display zone, and activating a second preset application program and outputting a window related to the second application program on the second display zone; (d) when the folding angle between the first display zone and the second display zone becomes equal to a predefined angle, displaying one of windows related to a first application program and a second application program in a full screen mode on both the first display zone and the second display zone; (e) identifying, when the folding angle between the first display zone and the second display zone becomes equal to the predefined angle, preset priorities of activated application programs, and outputting a window related to the highest-priority application program in a full screen mode on both the first display zone and the second display zone; (f) identifying, when the folding angle between the first display zone and the second display zone becomes equal to the predefined angle, preset priorities of the display zones, and outputting a window displayed on the highest-priority display zone in a full screen mode on both the first display zone and the second display zone; (g) outputting, when the folding angle between the first display zone and the second display zone becomes less than the predefined angle, a window, which is currently displayed in a full screen mode on both the first display zone and the second display zone, on the first display zone; and (h) outputting, when the folding angle between the first display zone and the second display zone becomes less than the predefined angle, a window, which is currently displayed in full screen mode on both the first display zone and the second display zone, on the first display zone, and activating the most recently deactivated application program and outputting a window related to the newly activated application program on the second display zone.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the activating comprises activating a preset function when the folding angle between a first display zone and a second display zone is changed from a first angle to a second angle less than the first angle and then changed back to the first angle.
 5. The method of claim 4, further executing a particular function that copies a content listed on the first display zone and moves the copied version to a third display zone.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprises: sensing, when the folding angle between the first display zone and the second display zone remains greater than the first angle, a touch event for selecting a content listed on the first display zone; and copying the selected content and moving the copied version to a third display zone.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the activating comprises one of: (a) combining, when the folding angle between a first display zone and a second display zone is changed from a first angle to a second angle less than the first angle and then changed back to the first angle, a content listed on the first display zone and another content listed on the second display zone into a single content; (b) activating, when the folding angle between the first display zone and the second display zone remains greater than the first angle, a preset first application program and outputting a window related to the first application program on the first display zone, and activating an application program linked with the first application program and outputting a window related to the linked application program on the second display zone; (c) activating one of preset application programs according to a change in the folding angle between two adjacent display zones, and outputting a window related to the activated application program on one of the display zones; (d) outputting, when the folding angle between the first display zone and the second display zone is equal to the second angle, the window related to a currently running application program in a full screen mode on both the first display zone and the second display zone; and (e) outputting a window related to a first application program on the first display zone, outputting a window related to a second application program on the second display zone, and handling touch events occurring on the first display zone and the second display zone in a coordinated way.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step (e) comprises moving, when a touch and hold event occurs on a menu item listed on the first display zone and a touch event occurs on a content listed on the second display zone for selection, the content selected on the second display zone to the menu item on the first display zone.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating a placement event according to the placement state of the mobile terminal; and controlling an activation of an application program or an execution of a currently active application program according to a generated placement event.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising deactivating, when a placement event is generated, a touch sensor installed on the display unit.
 11. A mobile terminal having a foldable display, comprising: a display unit having a plurality of display zones; an angle sensor sensing a folding angle between adjacent display zones; and a control unit activating an application program or controlling an execution of an activated application program according to the folding angle.
 12. The mobile terminal of claim 11, further comprising at least one of: a hinge unit enabling the display unit to be folded and unfolded; a touch sensor generating a touch event according to a touch occurring on at least one of the display zones; and a storage unit storing a function table defining application control operations according to at least one of a touch event and the folding angle.
 13. The mobile terminal of claim 11, wherein the control unit comprises: a sensing detector identifying the sensed folding angle between a first display zone and a second display zone; and a function controller activating at least one of preset application programs according to the sensed folding angle, and outputting at least one window related to the activated application program on at least one of the first display zone and second display zone.
 14. The mobile terminal of claim 13, wherein the function controller controls one of: (a) when the folding angle between the first display zone and the second display zone is equal to a predetermined angle, displaying one of windows related to a first application program and a second application program in a full screen mode on both the first display zone and the second display zone; (b) outputting, according to preset priorities of application programs or the display zones, a window related to the highest-priority application program or highest-priority display zone in a full screen mode; (c) copying, when the folding angle between the first display zone and the second display zone is changed from a first angle to a second angle less than the first angle and then changed back to the first angle, a content listed on the first display zone and moving the copied version to a third display zone; (d) copying, when the folding angle between the first display zone and the second display zone remains greater than a predefined angle and a touch event occurs on a content listed on the first display zone for selection, the content selected on the first display zone and moving the copied version to another display zone; and (e) when the folding angle between the first display zone and the second display zone is changed from the first angle to the second angle less than the first angle and then changed back to the first angle, combining a content listed on the first display zone and another content listed on the second display zone; and (f) outputting, when a second application program linked to a preset first application program is present, a window related to the first application program on the first display zone, and activating the second application program and outputting a window related to the second application program on the second display zone.
 15. The mobile terminal of claim 13, wherein the function controller controls outputting a window related to a first application program on the first display zone, outputting a window related to a second application program on the second display zone, and handling touch events occurring on the first display zone and the second display zone in a coordinated way.
 16. The mobile terminal of claim 15, wherein the function controller controls moving, when a touch and hold event occurs on a menu item listed on the first display zone and a touch event occurs on a content listed on the second display zone for selection, the content selected on the second display zone to the menu item on the first display zone.
 17. The mobile terminal of claim 11, wherein the angle sensor generates a placement event according to the placement state of the mobile terminal and sends the placement event to the control unit.
 18. The mobile terminal of claim 17, wherein the control unit controls activation of an application program or execution of a currently active application program according to the generated placement event.
 19. The mobile terminal of claim 17, wherein the control unit deactivates, when the placement event is generated, a touch sensor installed on the display unit.
 20. The mobile terminal of claim 11, wherein the control unit activates one of preset application programs according to a change in the folding angle between two adjacent display zones, and outputs a window related to the activated application program on one of the display zones. 